IIn an extraordinary move, Ferrari is selling a car when it is
still under development. This is the Ferrari FXX, of which about
29 were built to explore the way ahead for ultra-high performance
exotic supercars. Owners are part-time test drivers for Ferrari,
and their cars will be modified as the development program unfolds.
No doubt niggled by the high-powered exotic cars being developed by the small specialists makers, Ferrari is fighting back with a fairly light, 800 bhp exotic car made in one small batch for selected customers.
Mid-engine, 800 bhp!
So what is this FXX? It is a mid-engined coupe powered by a 6.2 liter V-12 engine developing no less that 790 bhp @ 8,500 rpm -that-s 130 bhp per liter. The latest version of the F1 sequential semi-automatic transmission, shifting gear in less than 100milliseconds, will be used.
The car has a fantastic performance rivalling that of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 and Keonigsegg CCR. Maximum speed will be around 250 mph, and the car races to 60 mph in around 3.0 seconds.
40% more downforce
Ferrari has moved the Enzo shape onward in the FXX, evidently increasing downforce by a whopping 40%. As before, there are two side air intakes in the very long nose, but the air leaving the radiators is taken up over the hood, whereas these days many firms are taking the air out through the wheelarches.
The large air intakes atop the rear fenders are similar to those
of the Enzo, and the whole car has a muscular llook.
The coachroof is quite narrow and short, with very small side windows but does extend back past the engine compartment, and then the flat tail carries a curved spoiler. Below are large outlet ducts. There are also two small rear spoilers behind each wheel.
A new twist is that twin exhaust pipes come out high up in the tail, behind each wheel. The rest of the tail is pretty open, with diffusers each side of the gerabox, and plenty of outlet ducts to get all that hot air out.
It will be built in the same way as the Enzo, with a carbon fiber hull, and racing-type suspension, with some developments Ferrari isn-t talking about.
Special Brembo brakes, special Bridgestone tires
Brembo is supplying special brakes and pads with a special brake cooling system, while Bridgestone has developed special 19 inch slicks for the FXX.
They do say that 39 different dynamic events are being monitored continuously, so that Ferrari engineers can discover exactly what is happening to the car.
Each car has been fitted out to suit the owner, who can leave it at Maranello to be transported to the various circuits where the testing will take place, or they can keep the car at home. But when modifications are needed, the owner will need to take the car or get it taken to the factory.
These events take place in various places in Europe, with deliveries starting at the end of 2005.
As the performance is so phenomenal, Ferrari offered high-speed driving courses to all customers at the Fiorano circuit.
Buying an FXX was not buying a car, but buying a relationship with Ferrari. An amazing and unforgettable experience.
